Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao) (2024)

• Sauces - we'll need to types of soy sauce, fish sauce, chili garlic and sauce and oyster sauce. I like to use low-sodium sauces to keep this on the healthier side. If this is not available, dilute soy sauce with water.
• Chicken - ground chicken, turkey, or delicious tempeh. This dish is also often made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts; slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and juicy.
• Basil - Thai Holy Basil, Thai Basil or Basil? All work! Thai basil has a hint of spice and licorice, visually distinct. Holy Basil offers a peppery, clove flavor, originally used in this dish, but any fresh and fragrant basil, like lemon basil or regular basil, is suitable. I love adding fresh mint, too; you'll love it!
• Hot peppers - I recommend mild peppers or a mix of 1 hot and 1 mild. Traditionally, bird's eye chili peppers (Thai chilies, you can find them in local Asian market) is used, but any hot pepper works as a substitute for its heat.
• Hot sauce - Use Sriracha, Frank's, Valentina, or my preference—milder garlic chili sauce for a pleasant garlicky kick.
• Garlic - Garlic is a must in this dish!
• Fried egg - is optional but perfect to add some creamy topping to the mix!
• Rice - long grain rice like jasmine rice or your favorite Asian-style noodles, ramen, or rice noodles, your choice!
• Toppings - I love to top my spicy Thai basil chicken with sesame seeds, toasted cashew nuts, more chili and basil, crispy onions, green onions, and sometimes shaved coconut. The more the merrier!
• Thai chilis - use a mixture of hot and mild peppers.

Thai Basil Stir Fry

• ▢ ½ cup brown onion or shallot, diced or shallots roughly chopped
• ▢ 8 oz ground chicken
• ▢ 5 garlic cloves
• ▢ ½ cup Thai basil or regular basil, see notes
• ▢ 1 medium red chili, chopped roughly
• ▢ 1 medium mild hot green pepper,, chopped
• ▢ Avocado oil for cooking

Sauce

• ▢ 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, gluten-free if needed
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce low sodium if possible and gluten-free if using
• ▢ 1 tablespoon maple syrup or 2 teaspoon liquid honey
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce or sriracha, or other hot sauce, see notes
• ▢ 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon fish sauce

For serving

• ▢ 1 cup uncooked rice for serving
• ▢ 2-3 stalks of green onion for garnish
• ▢ More basil leaves
• ▢ Sesame seeds
• ▢ Prawn crackers
• ▢ 2 fried eggs

• Begin by finely chopping garlic (or use a garlic press) and green chilies.

  5 garlic cloves, 1 medium mild hot green pepper,

• Heat oil in a nonstick pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add onions or shallots, sauté for a few minutes, then add garlic and green chili. Ensure sufficient oil for fragrance.

  ½ cup brown onion or shallot, Avocado oil for cooking

• After 30 seconds, add ground meat. Cook chicken until no longer pink, ensuring it stays juicy without overcooking.

  8 oz ground chicken

• Add sauces, red chili, and basil to the cooked mixture.

  ½ cup Thai basil or regular basil, 1 medium red chili, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce low sodium if possible and gluten-free if using, 1 tablespoon maple syrup or 2 teaspoon liquid honey, 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce or sriracha, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon fish sauce

• Stir until basil wilts, maintaining vibrant color. If it's too dry, add water for more sauce.

• Serve over steamed rice with a fried egg, prawn crackers for irresistible creaminess. Top with green onions, more basil, sesame seeds.

  1 cup uncooked rice for serving, 2-3 stalks of green onion for garnish, More basil leaves, Prawn crackers, 2 fried eggs, Sesame seeds

• To Store. Refrigerate for 2-3 days.
• To Reheat. When reheating in a skillet over medium-low heat, add vegetable or meat broth, or water if the sauce becomes dry and sticky.
• For the hot sauce - you can also use something like Valentina or Franks Red Hot.
• Nutrition is estimated and makes 245 kcal per serving of Thai basil chicken without rice or egg.

Click here to add your own private notes.